7 years/$58M (2014-20). Signed extension with Atlanta 2/20/14. $1M signing bonus. 14:$1M, 15:$3M, 16:$6M, 17:$8M, 18:$11M, 19:$13M, 20:$15M. At signing, largest average annual value for player with 1-plus year of service time. Acquired by LA Angels in trade from Atlanta 11/12/15.

BP Chats

Is Orlando Arcia's bat less than we expected and what can we expect from him offensively in the future? Obviously the glove is top notch. (ColeWhittier from Pasadena, CA)

He hasn't been great, for sure (outside of defense, which of course will cure a lot of warts). But he's also extremely young. You're talking about a 22 year old getting his first taste of the majors -- there's maybe even more physical development there, let alone mental development as he gets a feel for the game. So I think while he might not be the 275/340/425 hitter he was in the minors, I don't think he's going to hit below a 300 OBP forever either. I'd expect he becomes a tier better than Andrelton Simmons in the offense category, given time. (Trevor Strunk)

How is it possible for the Angels to be putting this horrible of a roster out there despite having a $140 million payroll and emptying out the last of their farm system for Simmons? (Kristen from Canada)

$140 million isn't really a lot in this day and age, and they have such big chunks invested in players like Albert Pujols, who is still solid but not the superstar he was, and C.J. Wilson on the DL. They simply couldn't spend anything this winter on even marginal upgrades like Howie Kendrick over Johnny Giavotella and it shows on the active roster. They overpaid for Andrelton Simmons but even before that trade their farm system was just so bad. They are at the end of a success cycle that didn't offer a lot of success and likely have to consider rebuilding if they can't spend more money. (Mike Gianella)

Jose Peraza's bat seems pretty hollow and BABIP dependent... yet he's still just 21. Can he be the starting 2B in LA next year? Who do you think has a better shot of remaining a starting infielder, Peraza or Ketel Marte?(Davey Lopes from Los Angeles, 1979)

You're correct about Peraza. He's going to sink or swim offensively based on his average, because he doesn't walk and much of his "power" is going to be him turning a single into a double, or a double into a triple with his legs.

That said, I would give Peraza the nod on who's more likely to develop into a starting infielder. Remember, Peraza is at second base because the Braves had Andrelton Simmons and the Dodgers have Corey Seager, not because he lacks defensive skills. Other teams would love to acquire Peraza and insert him at shortstop, where he has all the physical traits necessary to be an above-average defender.

I think the answer to your question about Peraza serving as the Dodgers' starting second baseman in 2016 depends on your timetable. Friedman (and most other GM types, these days) love to use their prospects as Plan B entering the season. Why? Because the youngster can head to the minors until he's needed; the Plan A veteran can't—he'll opt out or sign elsewhere if that's in the cards. So opening day second baseman? No; but if we're talking about from July onward? I'm inclined to say yes. (R.J. Anderson)

Keeper league team decimated by injuries. I traded an expensive Lucroy for a cheaper package of Jurickson Profar, Leonys Martin and Andrelton Simmons.
Lunacy or luminosity? Any hope for any of those guys in 2016? Does this count as three questions towards Brett's charity drive?(Guancous from Silver Spring, MD)

I like that a lot if you weren't keeping Lucroy anyway. Profar is the biggest ceiling guy, but we won't know more until we see him on the field. I still like Martin a lot, and if the BABIP bounces back a little bit he should be OK. Simmons is probably the one who has way more real life value than fantasy; I'm not convinced that power comes back and if it doesn't he's fringy unless you're talking a 20-team dynasty. (Mike Gianella)

I could see Albies receiving a cup of coffee in September, 2017. Likely, it's a 2018 guy though. He's a long way from the majors at this point. While I do believe the hit tool will have enough to carry him - even with the lack of power - he isn't a finished product.

Ryan Parker talked about his swing in this piece, and it aligns with what scouts have told me all year. It's a good foundation and the numbers have been off the charts in his milb career so far, but it's not a finished product.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=26917

On his defense, it's a SS for me. Assuming Andrelton Simmons is still there in 2017, he can play 2B. Either way, Albies is an up-the-middle guy with quick-twitch athleticism. - Tucker Blair(Futures Game Chat)

One of the questions I had leading up to today's release of the list, was how the MI situation will play out for the Nationals in regards to Wilmer Difo and Trea Turner. Did Turner's addition play a role in Difo not making the list? Who moves off short? And finally, is it possible we see both starting up the middle by this time next year?(Patriot from America)

Good question. We try not to factor organization depth into our rankings. For instance, there's no way Jose Peraza plays much shortstop in Atlanta with Andrelton Simmons still in town, but he is capable of handling it. So no, Turner's presence didn't factor into Difo's rankings. We really like Difo, and I personally believe he can handle shortstop. The Nationals seem pretty set on at least splitting his time, though that has as much to do with their up in the air future up the middle as anything (Desmond being a mess and potentially leaving, Espinosa hitting more, Turner, etc.). It can't hurt to have him playing both. (Jeff Moore)

It's all about alignment. You could lay six Adam Dunns end to end and span the perimeter of the infield, corralling every ground ball. Meanwhile, Simmons would be out of position at first base. (Matt Sussman)

If it was the 18th inning and you needed to use a position player to pitch, would you use the guy who would throw the best (like Andrelton Simmons, if you were the Braves) or the guy you cared least about (like Ramiro Pena, if you were the Braves)? (Jackson from Stockton)

If it's the 18th inning, everyone's tired and I just want to go home so if I'm the Braves I'm using Luis Avilan again. (Matt Sussman)

Nobody is higher on Andrelton Simmons than the D-backs. He certainly offers a great deal of defensive skills to any major league team. My question, does he offer something to get excited about for fantasy owners? What can he do at the plate and on the base paths? Thanks, Mark.(Brian from Atlanta)

He's a tough guy for fantasy owners, Brian. His defense could make him a big name in the game, but his fantasy value likely won't match that real-life status. I think he can provide a fantasy team with everyday at-bats at a premium position, some batting average and 15+ steals. (Mark Anderson)

I have most of my FAAB budgeted in my keeper league for late-season prospect call ups. Guys like Hultzen, Bauer, Skaggs, and Arenado are all taken already. Who's a good bet to be called up that's not on everyone's radar (that's worth a sizable bid)?(Don H. from Oak Park)

I'm assuming you can't bid on guys in-season until they're recalled? Anthony Rizzo, Jed Gyorko, Julio Teheran are pretty good bets for call-ups this year. Maybe Andrelton Simmons if Pastornicky fails. Leonys Martin could be up at some point late, especially if we see some Texas injuries (Hamilton and Cruz are bound to go down at some point). Wil Myers could get a September call-up. Matt Harvey could too. (Derek Carty)

If Andrelton Simmons gets the starting SS nod for the Braves, is .240BA, 10hrs, 15 steals out of the question? He's won a (low) minor league batting title. And would Pastornicky offer any more, really?(timothy from nashville, tn)

Well, he had ONE home run in 500+ Carolina League at-bats last year, so I have no idea where the ten would suddenly come from. He could steal the 15 bases though. I think Pastornicky is more ready, but neither will be offensive studs or anything. (Kevin Goldstein)